Fluid medium storing and dispensing system



17, 1%46. H. c. GRANT, JR 3 I FLUID MEDIUM STURING AND DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 27, 1944 5/ -76 57 \jj I; I; 42

. 3'0 30 jj lnventor 4.5 41 40 46 39 H a zm attorney Patented Dec. 17, 1945 FLUID MEDIUM STORING AND DISPENSING SYSTEM Harry C. Grant, Jr., New York, N. Y., assignor to Specialties Development-Corporation, Bloomfield, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application September 27, 1944, Serial No. 555,917

6 Claims.

adapted to be operated by the fluid medium from its container or another container of the system,-

and suitable actuating devices operable by a relatively small force for initiating simultaneous release of fluid medium from one or more of the containers.

An object of the present invention is to provide' a system of the foregoing character wherevided with fluid medium actuated fluid medium,

in an of thestored fluid medium or only a re- 1 quired portion thereof may be dispensed in a convenient manner.

Another object is to provide a system of the foregoing character wherein the dispensing of the fluid medium may be terminated at will.

Another object is to provide a system of the foregoing character wherein fluid pressure medium may be conserved for future use.

Another object is to provide a system of the foregoing character wherein improved means control both theopening and closing of fluid medium actuated retaining and release means.

A further object consists in the arrangement of the apparatus and the combination of devices comprising the system whereby the foregoing objects and advantages may be accomplished.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illus-- trative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims. and various advantages not referred to herein will ocour to one skilled in the artupon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a fluid medium dispensing system illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of valve means used in the system for controlling the opening and closing of the fluid medium retaining and releasing means. I

Figure 3 is a fragmentary schematic view illustrating a modification of the invention.

Referring to the drawing and more particularly to Figure 1, there is, shown a fluid medium dispensing system of the type adapted for dispensing a high pressure fire extinguishing medium such as carbon dioxide and the like. Generally described,- the system comprises one or more primary, fluid medium storage receptacles or containers l0 and one or more secondary, fluid medium storage receptacles or containers II and/or l2'.

Each of the containers I 0, H and I 2 is prorelease control means It comprising retaining means such as a main valve member l5 which controls the discharge of the fluid medium from the containers by way of a valve seat IS, a. chamber I! and delivery means such as a conduit l8 extending from the chamber H which may lead to a. common discharge manifold I9, as shown, or to individual points of discharge as desired. The fluid medium actuated release control means l4 further comprise main valve operating means such as a piston 20 reciprocally movable in a cylinder 2| which is separated from the chamber I! by a partition or wall 22. The piston 20 and the main valve member [5 are operatively connected by a piston rod 24 which passes through an opening in the wall 22. The main valve member I5 is adapted to be seated by the pressure of the fluid medium in the container and seat" mg thereof may be assisted by a spring 25.

Theprimary container I0 is provided with a direct fluid medium flow connection 30 extending from the container to the cylinder 2! of its release control means, and the connection 30 is provided with a primary pilot valve 3| for com trolling the opening and closing of the main valve l5 as will be described in detail hereinafter.

The fluid medium in container 10, or a portion thereof, is adapted to effect actuation of the release control means M of containers II and I2. This may be accomplished by interconnecting the release control means of the containers by a fluid medium supply conduit 32' in the manner about to be described.

The cylinder 2| of the release control means I t of container ID has the conduit 32 connected thereto, and the release control means Id of the container II has its cylinder 2| connected in the conduit, whereby fluid medium released from the container in is adapted to directly operate the cylinder 2| of its release control means I4 and into the conduit 32 to effect opening of the main valve members i5, and which serves to vent the cylinder 2| of the container l0 and the conduit 32 to effect closing of the main valve members.

The primary pilot valve comprises a body or housing 39 provided with an inlet 40 and an outlet 4| connected in the direct fluid medium flow connection 30 between the container I0 and its cylinder 2|, and a well 42 between the inlet and outlet adapted to be closed by a control head 44 attached to the body 39. An inlet port 45 provided with a valve seat 46 establishes communication between the inlet and the well 42, and an outlet port 41 establishes communication between the outlet 4| and the well 42. A pilot valve member 50 is adapted to be seated against the seat 46 by the pressure of the fluid medium in the container I0 and seating thereof may be assisted by a spring 5|.

The control head 44 comprises an inverted cupshaped body 52 adapted to be secured to the body 39 to provide a closure for the well 42. The body 52 carries a cup-shaped housing 54 which extends partly into the well 42 and which has a bottom wall 55 provided with an aperture 56 in alignment with the port 45 and provided with one or more venting apertures 51.

In the housing 54 an assembly is arranged, comprising a spring 59 seated on the bottom wall 55, a cage 60 telescoped into the spring and having a flange 6| for supporting the cage on the upper end of the spring 59 and having apertures 62 below the flange 6|, a nose member 64 secured to the lower end of the cage adapted to extend through the aperture 56 and effect unseating of the pilot valve member 50, and a disc 65 of gasket material in the cage below the apertures 67 for sealing the bottom of the cage.

The cage 60 may be secured in the housing 54 by a bushing 66 supporting an apertured packing 61 through which extends a stem 69 adapted to engage the disc 65. The stem 69 is threadedly mounted for rotation in the body 52 and is adapted to be rotated by a handle wheel 10 or other suitable control means. The stem has a venting passage '|I extending therethrough for establishing communication between the interior of the control head and the atmosphere as about to be described.

In operation, when it is desired to release fluid pressure medium from the containers, the stem 69 is rotated in a direction to effect downward movement thereof whereupon the stern engages the disc 65 which closes the venting passage H at the lower end of the stem. Upon further downward movement of the stem 69, the cage 60 is moved downwardly in opposition to the spring 59 and the nose member 64 eifects unseating of the pilot valve member 50, whereby fluid medium will flow from the container I0, through the con nection 30 and the primary pilot valve 3| and into the cylinder 2| of the container III to effect opera- 4 tion of the piston 20 and unseating of the main valve member IS.

The fluid medium entering the cylinder 2| aforementioned will be directed through the conduit 32 to the cylinder 2| of the container I I and to the fluid actuated means of the container I2 whereby unseating of the main valve members I5 of'these containers is affected and the fluid medium is dispensed.

In the event it is desired not to discharge the entire amount of fluid medium stored in the con talners or to stop discharge of the fluid medium for any other reason whatsoever, the pilot valve may be operated to effect seating of the main valve members. To accomplish this, the stem 69 is rotated in an opposite direction as before to effect upward movement thereof until in a position so that the lower end of the stem is out of engagement with the disc 65 and the passage II is open to the atmosphere. This permits the cage 60 to be raised by its spring 59, whereby the pilot valve member 50 engages its seat 46 and shuts off the flow of fluid medium to the cylinder 2| of the container I0.

When this occurs fluid medium in the cylinder 2| and in the conduit 32 is vented to the atmosphere by way of the apertures 51 in the housing 54, the apertures 62 in the cage 60, and the passage II in the stem 69. The main valve members I5 0f the containers H1 and II are then adapted to engage their seats I6 to shut off the flow of fluid medium to their discharge or delivery conduit IB. 1

In the case of container I2, venting of the conduit 32 and the fluid medium actuated control head 34 permits the secondary pilot valve 35 to reseat and shut off the supply of operating fluid medium to the cylinder 2| of the container I2. To insure rapid venting of the cylinder 2| and seating of the main valve member I5 of the container I2, the pilot valve 35 comprises a body 39 and a control head 44' having a. cage assembly and a vented stem 69' arrangements such as illustrated in Figure 2, the stem being connected to and slidably movable with the piston of the fluid medium actuated control head 34. The stem has a passage (not shown) in communication with the atmosphere byway of an opening 89 in the lower end of the cylinder of its fluid medium actuated control head 34.

In Figure 3 a modification of the invention is illustrated wherein the fluid medium admitted by the pilot valve 3| from the primary container II] to its cylinder 2| is utilized only to operate its piston 20 to effect unseating of its main valve member I5. The fluid medium discharged from the primary container ID by way of its delivery conduit I8 is directed into a conduit 32' con nected to the cylinder 2| of a container I I and/or to the fluid medium actuated control head 34 of the release control means of a container I2, whereby the bulk of the fluid medium of the primary container I0 i utilized to effect discharge of one or more secondary containers.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved system for storing and dispensing high pressure fluid medium. By being able to shut off the fluid medium operated fluid medium release control means at will, only the desired portion of the fluid medium will be dispensed and the balance thereof will be conserved for future use.

While the present invention has been described in connection with a fire extinguishing system by way of example, it will be understood that the invention may be utilized in systems for inflating flotation equipment, operating fluid pressure actuated devices and for other purposes where a relatively large amount of high pressure fluid medium, or a portion thereof, may be employed. Also, while the system described herein is primarily adapted for storing and dispensing liquefied carbon dioxide, it will be appreciated that such systems may be utilized for storing and dispensing other high pressure fluid media in gaseous or liquefied state which media is suitable for the purposes intended.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative\and not in any limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim:

1. In a fluid pressure medium dispensing system, the combination ,of a receptacle for containing a fluid medium under pressure, fluid medium retaining means for said receptacle, delivery means into which fluid medium from said receptacle is delivered when released, fluid medium actuated operating means for said retaining means adapted to effect release of fluid medium from said receptacle, a direct fluid medium flow connection between said operating means and said'receptacle, pilot valve means in said connection adapted to be unseated to effect delivery of fluid medium from said receptacle through said connection to said operating means, and means removable associated with said pilot valve means including actuating means for said pilot valve means, venting means associated with said actuating means for venting fluid medium in said connection between said pilot valve means and said operating means when said pilot valve means is seated, and means for rendering said venting means ineffective prior to and during the unsea-ting of said pilot valve means.

2. In a fluid pressure medium dispensing system, the combination of a primary receptacle for containing a fluid medium under pressure, a secondary receptacle for containing a fluid medium under pressure, fluid medium delivery means for said primary and said secondary receptacles, primary fluid medium retaining means for said primary receptacle, primary fluid medium actuated operating means for said primary retaining means adapted to effect release of fluid medium from said primary receptacle, 2. direct fluid medium flow connection between said primary operating means and said primary receptacle, primary pilot Valve means in said connection adapted to be unseated to effect delivery of fluid medium from said primary receptacle through said connection to said primary operating means, means removably associated with said primary pilot valve means including actuatin means for said primary pilot valve means, venting means associated with said pilot valve actuating means for venting fluid medium in said connection between said primary pilot valve means and said primary operating means when said pilot valve means is seated, and means for rendering said venting means ineffective prior to and during the unseating of said primary pilot valve means, fluid medium actuated fluid me dium release control means including fluid medium retaining means for said secondary receptacle, and means forming a fluid medium flow connection between said fluid medium release control means for said secondary receptacle and said primary operating means, whereby said fluid release control means for said secondary receptacle is adapted to be actuated upon an initial actuation of said primary pilot valve ,means and is adapted to be vented While said venting means is effective.

3. In a fluid pressure medium dispensing system, the combination of a primary receptacle for containing a fluid medium under pressure, a secondary receptacle for containing a fluid medium under pressure, delivery means into which the fluid medium from said primary and said secondary receptacle is delivered when released, primary fluid medium retaining means for said primary receptacle, primary fluid medium actuated operating means for said primary fluid medium retaining means adapted to effect release, of fluid medium from said primary receptacle, fluid medium actuated fluid medium release control means including secondary fluid medium retaining means adapted to release fluid medium from said secondary receptacle, a fluid flow connection between said primary fluid medium actuated operating means and said fluid medium actuated fluid medium release control means, direct fluid medium flow connections respectively between said primary fluid medium actuated operating means and said primary receptacle and between said fluid medium actuated fluid medium release control means and said secondary receptacle, primary pilot valve means in said direct fluid medium flow connection of said primary receptacle adapted to be unseated to effect delivery of fluid medium from said primary receptacle to said primary operating means and said fluid medium actuated fluid medium release control means of said secondary receptacle, means removably associated with said primary pilot valve means including actuating means for said primary pilot valve means, venting means associatedwith said pilot valve actuating means for venting fluid medium in said connection between said primary pilot valve means and said primary operating means when said pilot Valve means is seated, and means for rendering said Venting means ineffective prior to and during the unseating of said primary pilot valve means, whereby said primary fluid medium actuated operating means and said fluid medium actuated fluid medium release control means are adapted to be actuated upon actuation of said primary pilot valve means and are adapted to be vented while said venting means is effective.

4. In a fluid pressure medium dispensing system, the combination of a primary receptacle for containing'a fluid medium under pressure, primary fluid medium retaining means for retaining fluid medium in said receptacle, 9, secondary receptacle for containing a fluid medium under pressure, secondary fluid medium retaining means for retaining fluidmedium in said secondary receptacle, delivery means into which fluid medium from said primary and said secondary receptacles is delivered when released, primary fluid medium actuated operating means for said primary fluid medium retaining means for effecting release of fluid medium from said medium from said secondary receptacle, a direct.

fluid medium flow connection respectively between said primary operating means and said primary receptacle and between said secondary operating means and said secondary receptacle, primary pilot valve means for said fluid medium flow connection to said primary operating means, means removably associated with said primary pilot valve means including actuating means for said primary pilot valve means, venting means associated with said pilot valve actuating means for venting fluid medium in said connection between said primary pilot valve means and said primary operating means when said pilot valve means is seated, and means for rendering said venting means inefiective prior to and during the unseating of said primary pilot valve means, and fluid medium operated secondary pilot valve means for said medium flow connection to said secondary operating means, said last named pilot valve means being in fluid medium flow connection with said primary fluid medium actuated operating means and being adapted to be actuated by fluid medium from said primary receptacle upon actuation of said primary pilot valve means and being adapted to be rendered ineffective while venting means is effective,

5. In a fluid pressure medium dispensing system, the combination of a primary receptacle for containing a fluid medium under pressure, a secondary receptacle for containing a fluid medium under pressure, delivery means into which fluid medium from said primary and said secondary receptacles is delivered when released, fluid medium retaining means for said primary and said secondary receptacles, fluid medium actuated operating means for said primary and said secondary retaining means adapted to effect release of fluid medium from said primary and said secondary receptacles, a direct fluid medium flow connection between said primary operating means and said primary receptacle, primary pilot valve means in said connection adapted to be unseated to effect delivery or fluid medium from said primary receptacle through said connection to said primary operating means, means removably associated with said primarypilot valve means including actuating means for said primary pilot valve means, venting means associated with said pilot valve actuating means for venting fluid medium in said connection between said primary pilot valve means and said primary operating means, when said pilot valve means is seated, and means for rendering said venting means ineffective prior to and during the unseating of said primary pilot valve means, and means forming a fluid medium flow connection between said primary and said secondary operating means, whereby said secondary operating means is adapted to be actuated upon an initial actuation of said primary pilot valve means and is adapted to be vented while said venting means is effective.

6. In a fluid pressure medium dispensing system, the combination of a primary receptacle for containing a fluid medium. under pressure, a secondary receptacle for containing a fluid medium under pressure, fluid medium delivery means for said primary and said secondary receptacles, primary fluid medium retaining means for said primary receptacle, primary fluid medium actuated operating means for said primary retaining means adapted to efiect release of fluid medium from said primary receptacle, a direct fluid medium flow connection between said primary operating means and said primary receptacle, primary pilot valve means in said connection adapted to be unseated to effect delivery of fluid medium from said primary receptacle through said connection to said primary operating means, means removably associated with said primary pilot valve means includin actuating means for said primary pilot valve means, venting means associated with said pilot valve actuating means for venting fluid medium in said connection between said primary pilot valve means and said primary operating means when said pilot valve means is seated, and means for rendering said venting means inefiective prior to and during the unseating of said primary pilot valve means, fluid medium actuated fluid medium release control means including fluid medium retaining means for said secondary re- I ceptacle, and means forming a fluid medium flow connection between said fluid medium release control means for said secondary receptacle and said primary delivery means.

HARR Y C. GRAN I, JR. 

